Prologue
That was it. This moment, that he dreaded for so long. He never showed fear for anything or anyone. But this was something different.
~Flashback~
"Do you really hate me that much? Really? Then... just... get out of my life." It was only a whisper, but more effective even if she would have screamed at him. By the time he realised what just happened, she was already gone.
"Who said I would hate you." The desperation in his voice faded into resignation. The dojo suddenly seemed as big as the Central Park only … there was nobody here. He looked up to the corner. Broken stones from her training. She wanted to become his equal so bad. Wanted him to recognise her talent and effort. But why? He never got to talk to her seriously. If they exchanged words, then it was either to fight or insults.
Only today, her eyes looked honest and even sad before she left. 'Did she by chance... ? Can't be!', he thought decidedly. Slowly he picked himself up walking to the stairs which led to the roof. From up here everything seemed so easy and clear. Only a few lights were visible in the neighbourhood. Everyone was already sleeping. The night was dark tonight. Not even the light of the stars could break through the thick carpet of clouds. It was a rainy day and the air was filled with humidity and cold. He didn't really care. He couldn't feel anything right now. Not even the time that was running away. He pondered. For hours. Finally, after midnight he climbed down and found his way to his own room. He took his backpack and stuffed it with all the necessary things. Thirty minutes later while looking back at the silhouette of the house, which was his home for these few years, he hesitated for a second.
The only things he left behind were a small note on a desk and his black belt as a memento.
~Flashback End~
There he stood silently in a corner. Observing the people coming and going. Nobody seemed to take notice of him or even recognised him anyway. Hustle and bustle wherever he looked. Some couriers brought gifts. The caterers prepared the buffet. Relatives were chatting here and there. And there were the obligatory fighting event. Nothing changed really in the last six years. Or was it only him?
The building and the garden looked just as the same as in his memories. Only they extended the garden a little bit. Now there was a pavilion in the middle surrounded by rosaries. Two blocks of comfortable chairs for the guests were placed in front of it. Symmetry is perfection. The former small lake was gone. A big cherry tree was planted there instead, which looked beautiful in full bloom.
A wave of pleasant laughter and song began to draw near from the gate. The company of the bridegroom has arrived.
~Flashback~
"KEEP STILL! How can I tend to your wounds, if you can't even sit still for just a few seconds? You don't seem to have a problem to start a brawl!"
"This is all your fault. Why did you have to ogle that obnoxious freak. Nothing to admire with you anyway."
"AAARGH! YOU IDIOT!" She punched him hard to his injured ribcage and stormed off.
'That hurt. … Maybe I went too far this time', he thought, while painfully picking himself up.
"RAAAAH, I HATE THAT GUY!"
He felt irritated, cold and dead tired after this fight. He even forgot his demanding stomach. 'Just sleep.' To go up the stairs and eventually apologize to her did came to his mind, but was dismissed instantly. This was the first night he couldn't sleep since he came here a year ago.
~Flashback End~
As much as he tried, but he couldn't get a clear view of the bridegroom. There was always somebody blocking the view or that guy turned away. At least, whoever it was he had style. He wore a kimono made of dark blue silk and a few black applications. So it was supposed to be a traditional ceremony. He realised now that all the guests wore kimonos. Only he himself was clothed in his typical attire. A chinese shirt and ordinary pants may not be the right thing to keep a low profile here.
Two young girls were passing by chatting and gossiping about the good-looking bridegroom and how they envy the bride to possibly swap places.
"Did you see him? He looks so dashing in his wedding kimono."
"He's breaking the hearts of all the girls. What a memorable day, this 23th of August 2002."
Steadily the company reached the garden's centre where the pavilion was. The bridegroom and his best man were left alone, waiting for the bride and her bridesmaids. In a few seconds he would finally be able to see his face. But then in an instant his attention was bound by someone else. She was here, slowly walking down the aisle – even more beautiful as he remembered her clothed in a snow white silky shiromuku, unusually decorated on the sides and the sleeves with rare blue rosebuds from where pearls seemed to fall on the silk just like raindrops, or was it... tears?! On top of it she wore a belt to hold up the clothing above her slender waist. And even a black belt. 'A black belt. Such an eccentric. Black belt? Wha...'
She managed the last few steps to reach the pavilion with perfect grace. Blocking again the view at the face of her betrothed. Then she turned around for a few moments. Her eyes found his gaze. Only one word came over her lips, "Ranma", and she collapsed unconscious.
Finally he could see the face of the bridegroom. Tatewaki Kuno.
